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Re: Kansas City Chiefs player commits suicide at Arrowhead Stadium

Was the only one pretty offended by some of the Chiefs' comments after the game? Trying to tell us what a great guy Belcher was? I don't care if he came to practice on time and always knew where to be, the guy murdered the mother of his child.

Re: Kansas City Chiefs player commits suicide at Arrowhead Stadium

Was the only one pretty offended by some of the Chiefs' comments after the game? Trying to tell us what a great guy Belcher was? I don't care if he came to practice on time and always knew where to be, the guy murdered the mother of his child.

Which is exactly why they did the right thing by playing the game. You can't do anything to imply that you are memorializing a murderer, and that's exactly what cancelling the game would have done.

Re: Kansas City Chiefs player commits suicide at Arrowhead Stadium

Was the only one pretty offended by some of the Chiefs' comments after the game? Trying to tell us what a great guy Belcher was? I don't care if he came to practice on time and always knew where to be, the guy murdered the mother of his child.

There are also photos and stuff of fans supporting this murderer as well.

"It's just unfortunate that we've been penalized so much this year and nothing has happened to the Pistons, the Palace or the city of Detroit," he said. "It's almost like it's always our fault. The league knows it. They should be ashamed of themselves to let the security be as lax as it is around here."

Re: Kansas City Chiefs player commits suicide at Arrowhead Stadium

Umm, how would having postponed the game be seen has honoring the guy? My reasoning was concerning those that were close to him and the family. The people that saw him kill himself and the other members of the team. The only people saying ti would have honored him are the ones using it as an excuse to play the game.

As for his teammates saying he was a good guy and all, well why wouldn't they say that if it was true? All I've read about him said he was just that. I love how some of you can blast them for saying things after they "had" to "step up and put it behind them" so they could play a meaningless game. Obviously this action surprised them and they are still trying to deal with it. We may never know why he killed her, but there was obviously something wrong with him.

Re: Kansas City Chiefs player commits suicide at Arrowhead Stadium

Umm, how would having postponed the game be seen has honoring the guy? My reasoning was concerning those that were close to him and the family. The people that saw him kill himself and the other members of the team. The only people saying ti would have honored him are the ones using it as an excuse to play the game.

I get what you're saying. I just think that cancelling the game would have naturally given the impression that they were somehow doing it in memory of him. You obviously cancel the game if its a situation like with Cardinals P Daryl Kile, who died in Chicago during a Cubs-Cardinals series. It's done so out of respect for the player.

If Belcher's death is the direct cause of the cancellation of the game, then how could that not be seen as a tribute/act of respect to him? Whether its right or wrong, that's how a lot of people would have viewed it, IMO.

Re: Kansas City Chiefs player commits suicide at Arrowhead Stadium

Umm, how would having postponed the game be seen has honoring the guy?

It would've meant his actions led to the postponing of the game, more national interest, etc etc etc.... Whether it was looked at as honoring him or simply garnering him more publicity because of what one man was able to cause doesn't matter.

I don't get the vibe this guy was looking for publicity and a massive disruption in normalcy for people nationwide or statewide or even throughout his 'workplace', but if he'd gotten it thru the postponing of the game and the further publicity that would've brought then someone else down the line might get the idea this would be the way to go out in a blaze of glory in their own circles.

As for the people close to him that were affected, anyone that witnessed this that was affected.... take the day off or sack up. Either way, move on.

IMHO the right decision was reached and normalcy will be attained much sooner thanks to that.

Nuntius was right. I was wrong. Frank Vogel has retained his job.

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"A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player. Losing yourself in the group, for the good of the group, that’s teamwork."

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Kansas City Chief's player Jovan Belcher shot his girlfriend dead before shooting himself because she told him he was not the father of their baby daughter, it was revealed today.

The Long Island mother of the player Cheryl Shepherd said the couple argued over the paternity of their three-month-old daughter right before the murder suicide at her son's home in Missouri.

Mrs Shepherd was in the home when her son shot Kasandra Perkins, 22, nine times before fleeing. He is believed to have kissed her dying body and their baby daughter goodbye before he left.

Tragic: Belcher is seen here with his girlfriend Kasandra Perkins, 22, and their baby daughter Zoey. Belcher and Perkins argued about the baby's paternity before he shot her

Troubled: The murder-suicide has sparked debate in the NFL about gun ownership and the personal struggles of players

A source told the New York Post: 'The mother believed that there was an issue over whether [Belcher] was the father. She said he believed he wasn’t necessarily the father of the child.'

A Kansas City law-enforcement source confirmed: 'She told police there was a question about the paternity.'

It is unclear if the paternity issue was the reason why the rocky relationship ended in such a violent and tragic way.

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The source added: 'The implication was that paternity was what the two of them were fighting about — that the baby might not have been his.'

The couple had been receiving counseling for relationship and financial problems, police said.

A spokeswoman said she would not comment on the doubts raised over baby Zoey's paternity.

Paying respects: Hundreds of mourners memorialized Jovan Belcher at his funeral Wednesday - despite his murdering the mother of his child before committing suicide

Memorial: Jovan Belcher was eulogized as a 'humble, kind young man' by his mother as his family and friends grappled with the horror of what he did

According to the New York Post, she is set to receive more than $1million over the years until she reaches 18. It is not clear if this was based on the results of a pregnancy test.

Belcher’s beneficiary will also get $600,000 in life insurance, a $100,000 retirement account and $200,000 for each of the four seasons played.

A Kansas City police spokeswoman said the baby's paternity wouldn’t be part of the department’s murder-suicide probe.

'That would not be something they’re going to investigate,' said Sgt Marisa Barnes. 'It’s a "he-said, she-said" so there’s no way to investigate. It would be nothing more than a civil matter.'

Belcher was memorialized as a 'humble, kind young man' at his funeral on Wednesday - despite the brutal murder of the mother of his child and shooting himself in front of his coaches.

NFL PLAYERS HANDING OVER THEIR GUN AFTER BELCHER SHOOTING

At least seven NFL players have turned over their weapons in the wake of the Jovan Belcher murder-suicide, according to Sports Illustrated reporter Peter King.

The players have handed their guns over to their teams' security officers to dispose of them.

One player gave up multiple firearms and told team officials he didn't trust himself with them.
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The horrific murder suicide has shaken the NFL and begun a discussion of gun ownership and mental health issues.

At least seven players have given up their guns - handing them over to the security personnel for their teams, Sports Illustrated reports.

Several hundred mourners gathered for the NFL linebacker's funeral near his hometown on Long Island, New York.

At Upper Room Christian Church on Wednesday, relatives wore black - and red, the Chiefs' color. Pastor Dawn Mixon shared that Belcher's mother, Cheryl Shepherd, described him as a 'humble, kind young man.'

He had a soft spot for children and loved cartoons, she said.

'We may not understand the reasons why we are here or understand what caused this tragedy,' Pastor Mixon said.

At a celebration of Belcher's life, there were hints of the way it ended. A photo slide show played on a large screen above the stage, with images from Belcher's childhood through his football careers at nearby West Babylon High School and the University of Maine.

The funeral was at Upper Room Christian Church in Dix Hills, New York, near his hometown on Long Island

Then appeared the words 'In loving memory of' Belcher and Kasandra Perkins, the mother of his 3-month-old daughter Zoey.

After a series of pictures of Perkins and baby Zoey came the message, 'Keep this little girl in your prayers.'

'The legacy we pass on to her will be good,' said his uncle, Davin Miles.

Next to an open casket were collages of photos and mementos from Belcher's playing career. An array of flowers spelled out W.B. for his high school.

Belcher then drove to Arrowhead Stadium, where he thanked coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli for all they'd done for him. As police arrived, Belcher slipped behind a car and put the gun to his head.

His path to becoming an NFL starter had been an unlikely one. Belcher did not play in college football's top division, and he wasn't drafted. But he made the Chiefs, becoming a full-time starter in 2010.

Bishop Stephanie Green described Belcher as 'a man who did some awesome things - while other

Re: Kansas City Chiefs player commits suicide at Arrowhead Stadium

Zoey Belcher now living in Texas; custody battle takes shape
BY MARK MORRIS

The struggle over who will care for the daughter of a Chiefs player who committed suicide after killing the girl’s mother is taking shape in Missouri and Texas courts.

And tensions between paternal and maternal grandparents of the 4-month-old daughter of Jovan Belcher and Kasandra Perkins have emerged in court filings.

Authorities turned over Zoey Michelle Belcher to Cheryl Shepherd, her paternal grandmother, just after her parents’ deaths on Dec. 1.

But in an email to a Jackson County probate commissioner Thursday, a lawyer for Shepherd disclosed that Zoey is in Texas with her mother’s family.

“Cheryl agreed to temporarily allow the maternal relatives (to) take Zoey to Texas for her mother’s funeral,” wrote lawyer Gretchen M. Gold. “The maternal relatives have now ceased communicating with Cheryl Shepherd and have refused to return her calls or return the child to her care.”

Both families have filed court cases seeking to care for Zoey. Judges in Independence and Fort Worth have scheduled hearings later this month to begin determining where the infant and money to support her will end up.

Zoey was orphaned Dec. 1, when Belcher emptied a .40-caliber handgun into Perkins at the home they shared in the 5400 block of Crysler Avenue. Belcher then drove to Arrowhead Stadium and shot himself in the parking lot in front of his coaches and the team’s general manager.

Shepherd, of West Babylon, N.Y., had moved in with the couple about two weeks before the shootings.

On Dec. 14, Shepherd filed a petition with Jackson County probate court, asking that she be appointed Zoey’s guardian and the conservator of her estate.

Money to care for Zoey could come from a trust funded by the Hunt family, Chiefs coaches, players and employees and contributions from the public.

Zoey’s estate or guardian also will receive more than $1 million under terms of the NFL’s collective-bargaining agreement.

The girl stands to receive $108,000 annually over the next four years, $48,000 in the fifth year and then $52,000 each year until age 18. She’ll continue to receive that amount until age 23 if she attends college.

The beneficiary of Belcher, who was in his fourth season, also will receive $600,000 in life insurance, plus $200,000 for each credited season. There is also $100,000 in a retirement account that will go to his beneficiary or estate.

Shepherd also has asked probate court to appoint her the administrator of Belcher’s estate.

The probate commissioner has scheduled a Jan. 11 hearing in Independence to hear both petitions.

In Fort Worth, Zoey’s maternal grandparents, Rebecca Anne Gonzalez and Darryl Perkins, and other Texas relatives have filed suit asking that they temporarily care for the girl, that her residence be in Tarrant County, Texas, and that a guardian ad litem be appointed to represent her best interests.

The maternal litigants also asked for a social study “into the circumstances and condition of the child and of the home of any person requesting” to care for the child.

A Fort Worth judge is scheduled to have his first hearing on that case Jan. 22.

Shepherd’s lawyer said in her email that she is engaging lawyers in Fort Worth to appear at the hearing.

“We intend to fight the matter in Texas on Jan. 22 if that hearing takes place,” Gold wrote.

Re: Kansas City Chiefs player commits suicide at Arrowhead Stadium

Posted by Mike Florio on December 31, 2013, 6:14 PM EST
Belcher
Getty Images
As the proposed settlement of the massive concussion lawsuit continues to sputter through the judicial system, another former NFL player has formally initiated a civil action.

According to the Kansas City Star, the estate of linebacker Jovan Belcher has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Chiefs.

The lawsuit, submitted by Belcher’s mother, contends that Belcher was exposed to “repetitive head trauma” and “suffered multiple concussive and subconcussive blows to the head which caused or contributed to cause a a constellation of neurologic/brain harms, including post concussion syndrome . . . and traumatic brain injuries, such as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).”

Apart from the boilerplate allegations appearing in most concussion lawsuits, the Belcher lawsuit makes specific allegations regarding behavior that caused Belcher to play through brain injuries. The lawsuit contends that Chiefs officials “engaged in mental abuse to ‘motivate’” Belcher, that Belcher was told “he was just an accident, and they would get rid of him,” and that he was bullied and pressured to the point that, when combined with Belcher’s concussion issues, “caused or contributed to cause [him] to become insane.”

The lawsuit also alleges that the Chiefs knew or should have known that Belcher showed signs of cognitive and neuropsychiatric impairment, that he was knocked unconscious during a game against Jacksonville in 2009 but was not immediately taken for evaluation, and that he wasn’t given time to fully recover before returning to practice.

The Chiefs played the Jaguars on November 8, 2009, only days after the NFL began to take far more seriously the issue of concussions and, specifically, the rules regarding a player’s ability to return to practice or game action.

The claims filed by Belcher’s estate extend beyond the handling of concussions, alleging that the Chiefs acquired a “duty to provide competent healthcare” by ordering him to see a counselor in October and November 2012, only weeks before he killed his girlfriend and then committed suicide in the parking lot at Arrowhead Stadium.

"It's just unfortunate that we've been penalized so much this year and nothing has happened to the Pistons, the Palace or the city of Detroit," he said. "It's almost like it's always our fault. The league knows it. They should be ashamed of themselves to let the security be as lax as it is around here."

Re: Kansas City Chiefs player commits suicide at Arrowhead Stadium

Wow. Concussions are serious, but now it will get to the point where every character issue or every crazy act will be blamed on concussions. Some of the players are mentally unstable way before any concussions.